'American Idol': Then & Now

Season 7 - Brooke White

Bubbly blonde Brooke White was the fifth-place finalist on season 7. After two solo albums, White teamed with singer-songwriter Jack Matranga for two records under the band name Jack and White. In 2012, Brooke went solo once again for a holiday album called "Brooke White Christmas." In 2014 she collaborated with "American Idol" alums for a charity album named "Lullabies and Happy Songs" to benefit victims of childhood sexual slavery. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Noel Vasquez, Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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McPhee was the season 5 "Idol" runner-up. She has released three studio albums, appeared in the films "The House Bunny" and "Shark Night 3D" and starred in the now-canceled NBC musical drama "Smash." She currently stars in the CBS series "Scorpion." —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Getty Images)

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In 2002, Seacrest accepted the position as co-host of the reality TV series "American Idol" with comedian Brian Dunkleman. Dunkleman quit after the first season and "American Idol" went on to phenomenal success, putting Seacrest in the national spotlight. He currently hosts his own radio show, produces several reality series, recently helmed the NBC game show "The Million Second Quiz" and returned for the 14th season of "Idol" in January. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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The English A&R executive, television producer and entrepreneur left "Idol" behind at the end of its ninth season. The acerbic Brit brought his own U.K. hit, "The X Factor," to America in September of 2011. Cowell welcomed his first child with a woman named Lauren Silverman last year. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Jackson, a world-renowned producer within the music industry, joined "Idol" in its first season as a virtual unknown to audiences. He left the show after 13 seasons. Jackson currently hosts a syndicated radio show. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Kevin Winter, Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

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This '80s pop music/R&B artist found renewed fame and success during her eight-year run with "Idol." In 2011, she rejoined Cowell at the judges table for one season of "X Factor," but was not asked back for another. In 2013 she joined the cast of judges on the Australian version of "So You Think You Can Dance." —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Kevin Winter, Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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This actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality and fashion designer added "Idol" judge to her enormous resume on Season 10. She remained at the "Idol" judges table for two seasons before departing in 2012 to pursue other ventures. Luckily for fans, Lopez returned to the "Idol" judges table for the 13th and 14th seasons. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Kevin Winter, Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

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The singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist is best known as the frontman and lead singer of the rock band Aerosmith. Tyler joined "Idol" in its tenth season and became an instant fan favorite. He announced in July 2012 that he was leaving the show to renew his focus on Aerosmith. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Frederick M. Brown, Steven Lawton/Getty Images)

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DioGuardi served as a judge on "American Idol" for its eighth and ninth seasons. She was appointed to the position of Executive Vice President of Talent Development at Warner Bros. Records, and signed acts such as Jason Derülo and Iyaz. In 2011, she was a head judge on the Bravo singer-songwriter competition series "Platinum Hit." DioGuardi welcomed a son, Greyson James Carroll McCuddy, on January 31, 2013. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Getty Images)

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A.J. placed eighth on the debut season of "American Idol" and now is a fully developed artist/songwriter/producer living in Los Angeles. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Getty Images and Gil's Myspace)

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Gray placed fourth on season 1, making a huge impact on the fans and judges alike. Since the show, she has appeared in several films, TV shows and Broadway productions. Gray gave birth to a daughter named Sienna Marie in 2010, and is currently living and working in Los Angeles. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Getty Images)

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McKibbin, the third finalist on season 1, released her first album, "Unreleased" in 2007. Shortly after, she appeared on "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew," where she received treatment for cocaine and alcohol addiction. McKibbin is currently living in Dallas, Texas and has reportedly been sober since 2009. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Getty Images)

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"Idol's" debut season runner-up hailed from a small town in Pennsylvania. A strong believer in music education, Justin has lobbied on Capitol Hill on behalf of The International Music Products Association. He has two children with wife Reina Capodici. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Getty Images)

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Named the first "American Idol," Clarkson is arguably the most successful contestant to date. Her latest pop album, "Stronger," was released by RCA Records on October 24th, 2011. Last year, Clarkson wed talent manager Brandon Blackstock, with whom she recently welcomed her first child, and released a holiday album entitled "Wrapped in Red." —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Getty Images)

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Caldwell was the seventh place finalist on season 2. She hosted VH1's "Rock N' Roll Fantasy Camp" in 2011 and the Oxygen Network series "Best Ink" in 2012. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Getty Images)

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Country singer Josh Gracin was the fourth-place finalist on season 2. He released his latest single "Drink It Gone" in May 2013. In August, Gracin was placed on a psychiatric hold after posting an apparent suicide note on his Facebook page. He then reportedly entered an inpatient psychiatric facility. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Getty Images)

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Locke may have gained fame on "Idol" season 2, but she continues to make an impact on the music world. She released her latest single "Feel the Love" in 2013. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Getty Images)

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Aiken is the most successful second-place "Idol" to date. The singer was the runner-up on the fifth season of NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice." He recently released "Steadfast," an album of songs only sung in concert, in March of 2012. Aiken is currently running for Congress in North Carolina's 2nd district. Last year, he won the Democratic primary, but lost the general election in November. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Getty Images)

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After winning season 2, Studdard nabbed a "Best Male R&B Vocal Performance" Grammy nomination for his hit song "Superstar." He has released five studio albums since his days on "Idol," including his latest, "Letter from Birmingham," in March 2012. After years of struggling with his weight, Studdard joined the 15th season of "The Biggest Loser." He released his sixth studio album, entitled "Unconditional Love," in February, 2014. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Getty Images)

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Hudson, one of the most recognized "Idol" faces, placed seventh in the competition on season 3. She went on to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, as well as a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award, an NAACP Image Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award, for her performance in the 2006 hit "Dreamgirls." Hudson, who welcomed a baby with pro-wrestler David Otunga in 2009, also appeared on the NBC television series "Smash" and released her third studio album "JHUD" on September 23, 2014. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Getty Images)

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Diana DeGarmo was the runner-up on the third season of "American Idol," but has still found success outside of the show. She released her debut album, "Blue Skies," shortly after leaving "Idol," and went on to land roles on stage, film and television. She is currently touring the country with her husband, former "Idol" contestant Ace Young, with a production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Frank Micelotta, Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Barrino rose to fame as the winner of the third season of the series, and went on to win a Grammy Award for her 2010 single "Bittersweet." She welcomed a son, Dallas Xavier Barrino, in Decemeber of 2011. Fantasia recently released her fourth album "Side Effects of You." —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Getty Images)

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Since winning "American Idol," Underwood has become a multi-platinum selling recording artist, a multiple Grammy Award winner, a Grand Ole Opry inductee, a Golden Globe Award nominee, Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Female Vocalist winner, and a winner of ACM's Entertainer of the Year. Underwood's fourth album, "Blown Away," was released on 2012, and she dropped a compilation record entitled "Greatest Hits: Decade #1" on December 9. In 2013, she appeared as Maria von Trapp in NBC's live television production of "The Sound of Music." She recently gave birth to her first child with husband Mike Fisher. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Jason Merritt/Getty and AP)

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Maroulis was the sixth-place finalist on season 4. The singer found success on Broadway starring in "Rock of Ages" and "Jekyll and Hyde." He recently cameo'd as a 1980s record executive in the big-screen adaptation of "Rock of Ages." —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Getty Images)

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Bice placed second to Carrie Underwood on season 4. He has released three studio albums, including the 2005 gold record "The Real Thing," and currently lives in Nashville with his family. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Getty Images)

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Kellie Pickler may have finished sixth during her season of "Idol," but that hasn't stopped her from becoming one of the most successful alums yet. She has released four studio albums, the last of which, entitled "The Woman I Am," was released last November. Pickler was also crowned victor of the 16th season of "Dancing with the Stars." —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos Getty Images and AP)

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Chris Daughtry was season 5's fourth-place finalist. His band, which earned a Grammy nomination in 2008, released its fourth studio album "Baptized" in November, 2013. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Getty Images)

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Hicks won the fifth season of "American Idol." He continues to tour with his music and released an album entitled "The Distance" in 2009. He most recently performed at the 2012 Republican National Convention, and moved his Las Vegas residency show to the Paris Las Vegas. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Vince Bucci, Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

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Sanjaya's success on "American Idol" was a shock to the judges. Despite poor reviews, fans kept calling in and advancing the singer. After leaving the show, Malakar competed on the second season of "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" In 2011, he toured the United States with the band The Brave Chandeliers. He is currently working on new music. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Michael Buckner, Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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After finishing fourth on season 6, Jones released her debut album "So Glad I'm Me." She recently appeared on the short-lived singing competition "The Winner Is." She is currently living in Houston, Texas. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photo: Fox, Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

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Doolittle finished third place on season 6. She has released one studio album, "Coming Back to You," and a 2010 book about her life before, during and after "Idol." —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Michael Buckner, Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

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Blake Lewis was the runner-up on season 6. His second album, "Heartbreak on Vinyl," was released in 2009. Lewis released his third studio album, "Portrait of a Chameleon," last year. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

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Sparks, the winner of season 6, is another highly successful "Idol" alum. Sparks made her big-screen debut opposite the late Whitney in the music-themed film "Sparkle." Her fourth studio album "Right Here, Right Now" is scheduled to drop early next year, and she recently appeared in the Nicolas Cage movie "Left Behind." In September, Sparks split from her longtime boyfriend, singer Jason Derulo. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Kevin Winter, Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

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Bubbly blonde Brooke White was the fifth-place finalist on season 7. After two solo albums, White teamed with singer-songwriter Jack Matranga for two records under the band name Jack and White. In 2012, Brooke went solo once again for a holiday album called "Brooke White Christmas." In 2014 she collaborated with "American Idol" alums for a charity album named "Lullabies and Happy Songs" to benefit victims of childhood sexual slavery. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Noel Vasquez, Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Smithson finished in sixth place on season 7 of "Idol." The Irish songstress started the band We Are the Fallen alongside Evanescence co-founder Ben Moody. The band released its first album, entitled "Tear the World Down," in 2010. Smithson recently served as an off-camera judge for season 14 of "Idol." —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Kevin Winter/Getty and Twitter)

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This dreadlocked hunk was the fourth-place finalist on season 7. He has released three studio albums and currently lives in Dallas with his wife Mandy Mayhall and their daughter, Madeline Emilia Castro. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Kevin Winter, Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Malaria No More)

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Mercado was the third-place finalist for season 7. In 2009, she appeared in the national tour of the musical "Dreamgirls," and went on to land her first movie role in the 2011 film "Dreams." —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Kevin Winter, Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

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Cook, a rock singer-songwriter, was the victor of "Idol" season 7. In the fall of 2011, Cook toured in support of his album "This Loud Morning," co-headlining with Gavin DeGraw. Cook has since released new singles "Laying Me Low" last April and "Wait for Me" in November. He reportedly has plans for a fourth studio album later this year. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Kevin Winter, Aaron Davidson/Getty Images)

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Archuleta, one of the youngest contestants to appear on "Idol," was the season 7 runner-up. In 2011, Archuleta announced a two-year hiatus from music, during which we would serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Despite the break, Archuleta released his sixth studio album in 2013. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Kevin Winter, Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Allison Iraheta finished in fourth place during season eight of "Idol." After the show, she signed a record deal with 19 Entertainment and Jive Records, and released her first album "Just Like You" in December 2009. Iraheta is currently the lead singer of a band called Halo Circus, which released its second single, "Do You Believe in Shame?" last year. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Kevin Winter, Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

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Gokey was the third-place finalist on the eighth season of "American Idol," and went on to release his first album in March 2010. In 2011, Gokey began dating Leyicet Peralta. The two announced their engagement on December 25, 2011 on the Sophia's Heart website. They wed in January of 2012 and welcomed son Daniel Emanuel on January 20, 2013 and a daughter, Victoria Isabella, in November, 2014. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Kevin Winter, Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

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Lambert, credited as a singer, songwriter and actor, got his mainstream start as the runner-up on season 8. In late 2011, Lambert joined the iconic rock group Queen as lead singer, and toured with the band through 2012. Lambert released his second studio album entitled "Trespassing," which he produced himself, in March 2012. He kcickedd off a tour with rock gods Queen last year. Lambert recently announced that that he will release a new album titled "Original High" soon. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Kevin Winter, Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

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Allen came out the victor during season 8, and has since released three full-length studio albums. His third record, "Horizons," was released on August 12, 2014. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Kevin Winter, Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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The third-place finalist on season 9 was Casey James, a native Texan. His first single, "Let's Don't Call It a Night," was released in August 2011 and sold 5,000 copies in its debut week. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Jason Merritt, Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

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Bowersox, the season 9 runner-up, has released two studio albums, "Farmer's Daughter" (2010) and "All That for This" (2013). She made her acting debut on a season 2 episode of the Dana Delany series "Body of Proof," and will reportedly bring her talents to Broadway in an upcoming musical production. Bowersox also made headlines recently by coming out as bisexual. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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DeWyze, a singer-songwriter from Mount Prospect, Illinois, won season 9 of "American Idol." He has released a total of five albums during his career (two of which were pre-"Idol"), including the 2013 record "Frames." DeWyze married model and actress Jonna Walsh in 2011. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Jason Merritt, Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

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Bluesy favorite Abrams finished in sixth place on season 10, just five weeks after being saved from elimination by the judges. In January 2012, Abrams signed with Concord Music Group, and released his self-titled debut in June of 2012. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Kevin Winter, Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

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The runner-up on the 10th season of "American Idol," Alaina released her debut studio album "Wildflower" in October 2011. She is currently working on her sophomore album. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Michael Tullberg, Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

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Country crooner Scotty McCreery won season 10 of "Idol." His debut studio album, "Clear as Day" was released in October 2011. The album included the top 15 country hit "I Love You This Big" and top 23 country hit "The Trouble with Girls." Last year, he released a Christmas album called "Christmas with Scotty McCreery." His third studio album, entitled "See You Tonight," dropped in 2013. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Kevin Winter, Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

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Dubbed "Mantasia" for his vocal similarities to former "Idol" Fantasia Barrino, Joshua Ledet finished in third place during his season. He recently performed at a White House event (picture above right) and released a single called "Here to Die" on YouTube. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Kevin Winter, Martin H. Simon-Pool/Getty Images)

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Season 11 runner-up Jessica Sanchez was only 15 when she auditioned for "Idol" in 2011. Now 18, she is enjoying a healthy music career and released her first studio album, entitled "Me, You & the Music," in 2013. She also appeared in two episodes of the hit Fox series "Glee." Sanchez is currently working on her second studio album. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Kevin Winter, Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

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Is Phillip Phillips on track to become the most successful "Idol" winner of all time? The season 11 champion got off to a record-setting start in 2012 when his coronation song "Home" became the best-selling song by an "American Idol" alum. The song bested both Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger" and Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats," and appeared in TV shows, movie trailers and video packages for the 2012 London Olympics. He released his second album, "Behind the Light," last May. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff (Photos by Alberto E. Rodriguez, Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

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